tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43631478720961489962024-03-13T15:28:41.192-07:00Milcoins Blog A blog where I can rant and rave about challenge coins.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-65392893648942515512014-01-27T09:25:00.003-08:002014-01-27T09:26:45.570-08:00Does Your Coin Need Edging?Many challenge coins that are made are designed with a special edge. This edge can be a great addition to any coin. Some coins don't necessarily need a custom edge. Let's start out by saying, if you could is round, it could possibly have a custom edge. Many custom edges can be made 2 ways, either cut down to the brass or alloy of the coins centering. Or it could be plated the same plating as the coin itself.<br />
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But, does your coin need an edge? If the design is good enough then adding a after cut edge on to it, may take away from the design. Two reason, the design itself might not be what people see at first glance of the coin, and the custom edge needs more space than a flat ( or NO ) edge needs. Therefore your design will have to be smaller in size on the coin.<br />
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The cons of a custom edge are, the extra cost, the resizing of your design within the center of your coin, and they can scratch other coins easily because custom or diamond cut edges are sharp. The pros of a custom edge are, they look great in the light, make a design that isn't a great one appear nicer than it actually is. You can also give the coin a second plating look if the edge is cut down after plating is done.<br />
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Weighing the pros and cons are up to the buyer. He or she may want and edge or not. On some cases it is really a make or break subject. It can make the coin or break the coin, if the company does not really know or care how your coins come out. So all in all beware and pay attention to the details on the artwork. If you add an edge some small details might suddenly disappear , and you might not notice they are gone until it is too late.<br />
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By Lawrence PhillipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-56297099068718972922014-01-23T05:37:00.000-08:002014-01-23T07:30:48.865-08:00Being Coined<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Challenge Coins are symbols of servitude, given to commemorate time spent usually within the military. Either giving or receiving a challenge coin is a great honor. Not only did the member which present you with the coin did it in respect to what you have accomplished, but he or she usually does it in a traditional way called " being coined." This means the coin was passed to you from hand to hand in a firm hand shake. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By Lawrence Phillips</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-76591864911555685552014-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:002014-01-27T09:26:53.155-08:00Challenge Coin 101<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Welcome to challenge coin 101. Our purpose is to help you understand the options and components that will determine your finished coin. Weather you need a simple or complex you need to understand the production process so you will be pleased with the product. Brass and zinc alloy are the most commonly used metals for challenge coins, Brass coins are considered the military standard for challenge coins. Zinc alloy should only be used when the coin is a spinner, cut out, or has sharp angles. Standard coin sizes are 1.5" - 2" it is becoming more popular to mint odd shaped or larger coins.<br />
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Once a coin is minted it is electroplated to apply the finish. Common finishes are shiny silver, shiny gold, antique brass, antique silver and so on. One of the biggest questions asked is " What is the difference between 2D and 3D coins? " 2D coins are coins that only have raised and recessed metal areas within the design. 3D coins also have a 3- Dimensional relief are that is made with a 3D sculpture. </div>
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Many challenge coin designs have cut out areas with it. These cut out areas can be used as bottle openers or have areas that are cut out to make it stand out from the average coin. Most of these coins are made from alloy, although some designs can still be produced using brass. Brass centered challenge coins are heavier and are more durable than zinc alloy centered coins. </div>
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Challenge coins are used mostly by the military to boost morale, raise funds,show membership to ones unit, or commemorate a time spend on a mission or certain geographical location. Challenge coin collecting has become a very popular hobby. There are many coins for sale throughout the Internet. Ranging from$10 to hundreds, depending on the size,age,quality,rarity, and sentimental value of said coin for sale.</div>
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By Lawrence Phillips</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-81082569306774963832014-01-12T12:07:00.001-08:002014-01-27T09:27:01.286-08:00More On Challenge Coins<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: list 0in;">
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Challenge
and commemorative military coins have been around over 100 years. In World War
I, it’s been long believed the first Challenge Coin was designed by a wealthy
lieutenant for the men in his unit as a measure of good luck in battle.<i> </i>Today,
Military Commemorative and Challenge coins have become very popular and milcoins.com. has been helping military units, schools, gamers, law enforcement
and government with the highest quality challenge coins available and at affordable
prices.<br />
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The
military likes to create patches for special operations such as when we
deployed our troops for the Gulf War, and when we successfully landed Seal Team
6 and killed Osama Bin Laden image of our challenge coin we created for that. Every
branch of our military create commemorative designs to help boost morale and as
a token of good luck on the battlefield. </div>
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Our
police departments, including SWAT and our emergency responders including FEMA,
our firefighters use commemorative and challenge coins as they often conduct
in-house training and give the coins to those who successfully pass their
confidence or training courses.<i><o:p></o:p></i>Challenge
Coins are gaining popularity within the gaming industry now. Thanks to millions
of new games available for computers and mobile devices, Challenge coins have
become sought after by gamers that win them and the collector’s who value them
as investments because they are always printed in small quantities.</div>
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By Lawrence Phillips</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-84100802480452547082014-01-09T07:50:00.004-08:002014-01-27T09:28:18.181-08:00Tricks On Fitting Your BudgetSteel or Iron centered challenge coins. This is a good way to get more coins for the same money. There are limitations to the designs the coin has to be 2" or under. No 3D or edging. Unlike an alloy centered coin that can be over 2" have 3D and edging, the coins will have the weight similar to a brass centered coin. This is a great way to make affordable challenge coins on a very low budget. This can be accomplished by alloy centering as well, but alloy is very light weight.<br />
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If your design fits the restriction requirements and is seven colors or less, your looking at a low per unit cost of $2.50 - $2.75 per coin with a mold fee of $165 and $45 for shipping on 100 - 299 two inch coins. These coins will have the same high quality paint and craftsmanship we always offer on <a href="http://milcoins.com/">milcoins.com</a><br />
Have a larger coin need? Lets talk alloy, the usual cost for alloy centered coins is around $100 less then brass centering on a one hundred coin order.<br />
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By Lawrence PhillipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-22798257169283881982014-01-06T08:48:00.001-08:002014-01-27T09:27:27.848-08:00Challenge Coins, the value of them, and meaning behind them.<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
A challenge coin is custom made coin or medallion or any size (usually military), that bears an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s or units members. In practice, challenge coins are normally presented by unit commanders in recognition of excellence or a special achievement by a member within his or her unit. As such they are used as a tool to build camaraderie and morale. Businesses and companies have been adopting the practice of using challenge coins to show recognition to employees for many topics such as years with the company, receiving a promotion, and so on. The government also uses challenge coins as campaign tools or to create a type of living memorial to ones term of service.<br />
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The monetary value of a challenge coin is really determined on how rare it is. Something that is limited has more value and more highly sought after by hobbyist and collectors. A challenge coin made for a unit that has thousands of members is less rare than a smaller unit that only may have hundreds of members. The monetary or retail value of a coin is also estimated by its design. A coin with less detail should not be appraised as well as one that has more detail. Age of a challenge coin is similar to an aged item of currency. The older it is the more value it is given. Last but not least, the condition of a challenge coin. Just like regular coins or collectibles, a challenge coin can get banged around and show its wear and tare. Just like a baseball card, a challenge coin is graded by its condition. One that has production flaws or damage to it is less valuable that one that is in pristine condition. Any unknowing person can glance at a challenge coin and think all challenge coins are alike. In quality, design, and value. Comparing coins side by side is the easiest way to see the difference.</div>
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Most collectors of military challenge coins are retired or active members. Sometimes the monetary value is outweighed by the sentimental value of a challenge coin. Challenge coins have sold for hundreds of dollars at auctions simply because more than one personal desired it for sentimental reasons. He or she may have been a member or the unit represented on the coin, or may have relatives living or past that have ties to it. This sometimes commences a bidding war over said coin. Everybody wants something that somebody else wants, But at what dollar amount is too much? My answer to that is, If you can capture your own personal history into a new coin that bares the same insignias and meaning than why not create it yourself.</div>
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By Lawrence Phillips</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4363147872096148996.post-63444545808561634602014-01-05T11:37:00.002-08:002014-01-27T09:27:34.582-08:00Challenge Coins Are The New Business Card. This year alone, We have minted more Challenge Coins for companies than ever before. Coins with contact information on them, Like a business card. How many business cards do people give out and the precipitant loses within the next 2-3 days? Most of the time, this is the case. If you or any company want to pin point someone to do business with and your hand them a coin with your company logo and contact information on it, that potential customer will now take you a ton more seriously.<br />
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When I started <a href="http://milcoins.com/">milcoins.com</a> I designed and minted coins with my logo, my phone number, my web address and email address on them. Anyone who emailed me with any amount of interest in minting a coin with me got a coin in the mail within the next few days. This strategy made me a lot of money. This strategy landed me some of my biggest clients today.<br />
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If your a new business or a seasoned company and have never tried using a contact challenge coin, maybe you should try it. It worked for me and it has worked for many of my clients. Companies from large to small are seeing this trend working and growing larger every year. From BMW, Pepsi, Fedex, to small publication websites are getting in on the challenge coin action. Don't be the last company to design there own coin. A challenge coin company can make you a lightweight alloy coin that will keep your name and contact info around far longer than a business card ever could.<br />
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By Lawrence PhillipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16934542360247241543noreply@blogger.com0